A tight race is in prospect in Finland’s parliamentary elections, with three parties in with a chance of coming out on top.
Voting began this morning at local time. A record 1.7 million people, or nearly 40 percent of voters in Finland, cast advance ballots.
Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Social Democrats are fighting to secure a second term. But final opinion polls put her behind the centre-right National Coalition Party led by Petteri Orpo, and the right-wing populist The Finns party, led by Riikka Purra.
The uncertainty has created a buzz of excitement among voters.
With each of the three main parties expected to take around 20 percent of the vote, talks could begin next week on forming a governing coalition, euronews reported.
In total, there are more than 2,400 candidates from 22 parties vying for the 200 seats in Finland’s parliament.
First estimations of the result are expected shortly after polls close at 8 pm local time.
Source: Oman News Agency